Tag: Los Angeles

There is no better high than volunteering. It’s a feel-good, selfish act that I’ve become addicted to over the years. Why selfish? Because of the joy and pride I feel EVERY single time I’ve done it. Sure, I’m out there spending precious hours “giving back”, but the truth is –– the gratification is beyond anything I’ve personally experienced. Best. High. Ever.

Here in Los Angeles, there are so many ways to step up. The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank is a personal favorite. Did you know that one in seven people is struggling with food insecurity and hunger in Los Angeles County. ONE IN SEVEN. That’s insane.

Since 1973, the L.A. Food Bank has distributed more than 1 billion pounds of food. The Food Bank collects food (both canned and FRESH) from hundreds of resources.

“With the help of 30,000 volunteers annually and an agency network of more than 650 partner agencies, we serve more than 300,000 people on a monthly basis.”

There are several ways you can help the L.A. Food Bank: Organize a group to sort food at one of their warehouses, make a one-time donation or (if it’s within your budget), set up monthly donations.

“Every $1 donated provides enough food for 4 meals to feed hungry children, seniors and families. Community support enables the Food Bank to serve more than 300,000 people on a monthly basis.”

Ready to give back (and have some fun)? There’s an epic event happening on December 22.

L.A. Bites Hunger founder Jo Stougaard wrote this article for the L.A. Times.

The L.A. Kitchen is a nonprofit facility located in L.A.’s Eastside that recovers fresh fruit and vegetables to be used in a culinary arts job-training program for former inmates and young adults leaving the foster care system. They also create healthy meals for low-income seniors. In case you missed the print edition on Saturday, the online link is here.

L.A. Bites Hunger will be organizing volunteer days at the L.A. Kitchen. Please comment with your email if you’d like more information.

NOTE: Many thanks to those inquiring about volunteering this weekend, but we are completely filled for the 11/16/13 volunteer event. Please follow @LABitesHunger on twitter for upcoming events.

L.A. HUNGER FACTS (from the Food Bank website): One in six people in Los Angeles County is at risk for hunger. They are neighbors, children, seniors, families and friends. We help them by collecting food from various sources including retailers and farmers, and distributing it with the help of more than 650 food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters and other agencies who supply it to those in need. When product is donated to the Food Bank, it often needs to be sorted, cleaned and repackaged. We call this gleaning. Volunteers are needed to assist with the gleaning process everyday.

Our mission (at L.A. Bites Hunger) is simple: To bring our food community together and bring awareness to our local food bank using social media, such as Twitter, FaceBook and Instagram. Please support us by re-tweeting, liking and sharing with your friends and followers.

Note: For Every $1 Donated, The L.A. FoodBank Can Provide Enough Food For 4 Meals.

Volunteering along-side the chefs will be several food industry friends, writers and supporters including our good friend (and food lover) actress, Valerie Bertinelli (Hot In Cleveland).

NOTE: Many thanks to those inquiring about volunteering this weekend, but we are completely filled for the 8/10/13 volunteer event. Please follow @LABitesHunger on twitter for upcoming events.

L.A. HUNGER FACTS (from the Food Bank website): One in six people in Los Angeles County is at risk for hunger. They are neighbors, children, seniors, families and friends. We help them by collecting food from various sources including retailers and farmers, and distributing it with the help of more than 650 food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters and other agencies who supply it to those in need. When product is donated to the Food Bank, it often needs to be sorted, cleaned and repackaged. We call this gleaning. Volunteers are needed to assist with the gleaning process everyday.

Our mission (at L.A. Bites Hunger) is simple: To bring our food community together and bring awareness to our local food bank using social media, such as Twitter, FaceBook and Instagram. Please support us by re-tweeting, liking and sharing with your friends and followers.

1. All volunteers are asked to complete a liability release prior to participating in programs at the Food Bank. Download, print and sign a copy of the release, found HERE. We will collect the forms from you when you check in. Look for the “L.A. Bites Hunger” green banner. In case you forget your form, we will have extra copies available.

2. Volunteers must wear closed toe shoes. No sandals or open toe shoes allowed in the warehouse.

3. Our scheduled volunteer time is 9am to noon. Parking is limited within the facility but there is plenty of street parking nearby (carpooling is encouraged). Please plan to arrive by 8:45am to check-in. We will have bottled water and caffeinated beverages on hand for our volunteers.

4. Gelson’s Markets is proud to partner with L.A. Bites Hunger and has generously donated T-Shirts for our first L.A. Food Bank event. Volunteers are not required to wear the shirts on Saturday, but we’d love to get a group photo to share! THANK YOU GELSON’S Markets!

From 1-10 West: Exit Alameda Street. Turn left and head south on Alameda Street. Drive south on Alameda for approximately 1 mile. Turn right on East 41st Street. The food bank is located at 1734 East 41st Street, between Alameda Street and Long Beach Avenue.

For those not attending this Saturday: Please follow @LAbitesHunger on twitter. We will be tweeting live along with our volunteer chefs. Use hashtags #LAbitesHunger #FEEDLA to retweet and repost.

If you’d like to donate to the L.A. Food Bank, just text FEEDLA to 80888. You’ll receive a confirmation text. Confirm your one-time donation of $10 by replying YES!

Note: For Every $1 Donated, The L.A. FoodBank Can Provide Enough Food For 4 Meals.